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Traveling the world without having to pack and unpack multiple times is ideal. And on a cruise, that's a reality as you head from destination to destination on what is basically a moving luxury hotel (or a floating city, in some cases). Water slides, rock climbing, skating rinks and surf simulators are on many of the Royal Caribbean cruises. USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.
Solo Cruises: The Ultimate Guide to Cruising Solo
All cruisers are usually escorted across the dining room by the maitre d' or other staffer, which is a nice touch, especially when you are traveling solo. Do not shy away from joining group excursions or activities that you find interesting, as they offer great opportunities to bond with other travelers. It’s essential to balance your time between engaging with others and enjoying your own company. When planning your itinerary, consider both the duration and destinations of your cruise.
The Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
From fitness classes to cooking demonstrations, it’s never been easier to learn something new or engage in a hobby while sailing across the open waters. If you book your excursion through the cruise line, you’ll be in the same tour group as people from your ship, so you’ll be able to make plans later on to hang out again with any new friends you make. From dressy dinners to the moon's glow on the ocean waves, cruising can feel like a setting straight from a Hollywood film. Though not as simple as swiping right, cruising to meet other singles has appeal. The line's newer Edge Class ships have a younger, hipper ambience than their older ships. Think martini bars, foodie havens and jazz clubs, all with decor that looks nothing like your parents' cruise ships.
No. 7: Princess Cruises
Doug Parker is the creator and executive producer of Cruise Radio, a weekly podcast that shares cruise reviews and other cruise news. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best. — Our editors and readers independently select what you see on 10Best. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.
You can enjoy a wide range of dining options, including buffet-style restaurants, specialty dining, and room service, all while traveling to incredible destinations. Some cruise lines will occasionally offer sales waiving or discounting the single supplement on double cabins—sign up for sale alerts from your favorite ships to be notified. For example, Costa Cruises is currently running a promotion waiving the single supplement on a large selection of cruises. Their vessels boast 46 cabins specifically designed for passengers traveling solo. The cruise line debuted 128 studio cabins for solo travelers when Norwegian Epic launched in 2010. People will likely be intrigued by you traveling on your own, want to get to know you better, and enhance their own dining experience.
Cruises for Singles in Their 20s
Cabin specifics aside, Virgin Voyages allows passengers to socialize and make new friends. From group yoga to late-night parties with live DJs and the first tattoo parlor at sea, their ships provide plenty of spaces to socialize or indulge. A big caveat is that these single cabins are so popular in Norwegian that they book full, well in advance of other cabin categories. If you have your heart set on one of the studio cabins, book early to secure your spot.
Why You Should Solo Cruise
There are also choices of specialty theme cruises for LGBTQ+ cruisers, wine lovers, golfers and ancestry seekers, all of which make it easier for singles to meet people on board. We also considered the availability of social gatherings and activities tailored to solo travelers. Cruise lines like Cunard Line and Holland America host events that make meeting and connecting with other solo travelers easy.
Grand Circle Cruise Line Named #1 Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers in 2024 USA Today 10 Best Awards - PR Newswire
Grand Circle Cruise Line Named #1 Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers in 2024 USA Today 10 Best Awards.
Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
To avoid the high cost of single supplements charged to solo travelers in standard cabins meant for at least two people, single cruisers can travel with friends and share a room. (Many cabins can sleep up to four.) Also, you might feel more confident heading to the ship's bars or nightclubs in a group. Some of the best cruise lines for solo travelers provide solo cabins, reduced single supplements, and social activities for you to connect with fellow adventurers on the high seas. Enjoy the sugar sand and clear waters of the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, and the British Virgin Islands. Onboard, there’s a swimming pool, pickleball courts, and some of the finest dining (and service) at sea.
Cruises
Don’t worry about being lonely on Cunard—the cruise line hosts coffee mornings and drinks receptions for solo travelers and offers shared tables for people who don’t want to dine alone. It’s rare to find a sailing in Europe without a single supplement, but Tauck doesn’t charge one on any of their European river cruises (for Category 1 cabins). Tauck offers $1,000 off the single supplement on other cabin categories on select sailings. Dining arrangements, onboard activities and port tours make meeting like-minded people easy.
Additionally, there are general lounges and bars across the ship where you can grab a drink, unwind, and strike up conversations with other passengers. These areas usually have live music or entertainment to create a lively atmosphere, making it easy for you to socialize and enjoy your time on the ship. You can expect features like a larger bed, spacious living area, refined décor, and even butler service, elevating your solo cruise experience to a whole new level. Expertly curated itineraries and excursions will introduce you to fascinating destinations, while onboard amenities cater to your individual interests and preferences.
With an assigned seating time, you’ll share a table with other passengers, giving you a chance to make new friends while enjoying a diverse range of cuisines. On your solo cruise, you’ll find plenty of socializing opportunities in the numerous lounges and bars onboard. The Studio Lounge is typically designed for solo travelers, where you can relax, chat with fellow cruisers, and maybe even meet a new travel buddy. There’s always something going on aboard a cruise ship, whether it’s a trivia night or a karaoke competition. These activities are designed to get guests socializing, so try to join at least one every day. Look for events geared toward solo travelers to find your fellow singletons (who may be more open to making new friends than couples or groups).
Ambassador is a new cruise line where trips begin in cities around the UK, including Liverpool, Belfast, Dundee and Bristol. Both Ambience and Ambition have 89 dedicated cabins set aside for solo travellers, available “at a special single supplement against the equivalent twin fare based on selected single cabin categories”. The operator journeys to a vast range of destinations considering there are only two ships in its fleet, with voyages going as far as Singapore, Brazil and New Zealand. On the other hand, Celebrity Cruises’ Infinite Veranda solo cabins provide ample space for single travelers who crave a touch of luxury. They are the perfect blend between Royal Caribbean and Oceania, which means you’ll be in cruising heaven. These cruises often have various activities onboard designed for meeting fellow solo travelers, so you won’t feel alone during your trip.
Seasoned cruisers know that cabins located at the front of the ship can result in a bumpier ride. If avoiding seasickness on your cruise is a priority, you might want to avoid choosing a single cabin and opt for one in the vessel’s center. One innovative feature is the choice of a balcony stateroom or a virtual balcony cabin. The virtual balconies are actually interior cabins with a digital screen projecting a real-time view of the outside. It sounds tacky, but you’ll save money on your cruise fare, and the effect works surprisingly well.
Don’t miss out on a trip of a lifetime because you don’t have a travel partner who can go with you. A solo cruise is an excellent vacation choice if you’re looking to experience exciting destinations around the world and make new friends along the way. A seven-day Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard Princess Cruises' Sky Princess is an additional option for travelers hoping to explore another part of the world best seen from a ship. But while younger travelers might want to hop around Europe and party every night, someone in their 50s may be interested in a longer cruise with opportunities for cultural immersion.
You have the freedom to customize your trip and choose the experiences that best suit your interests and preferences. Despite the small cabin size, I found plenty of storage space for my clothes and travel gear. Traveling solo on a cruise can be a liberating and exciting adventure.
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